Latin Dance for Cancer Survivorship

Overseen By Arlette Chavez, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Disqualifiers: Sleep apnea, Heart failure, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 16

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that participants may be on long-term therapies like hormonal therapy or immunotherapy.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Latin Dance for cancer survivorship?

Research shows that dance programs, including Latin dance, can improve quality of life, physical fitness, and emotional well-being in breast cancer survivors. Studies found significant improvements in quality-of-life measures, physical activity, and emotional and social functioning after participating in dance interventions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Latin Dance safe for cancer survivors?

Research on Latin Dance for cancer survivors, particularly those recovering from breast cancer, suggests it is safe and can improve physical fitness and quality of life. Participants in these studies experienced positive changes in weight, fitness levels, and emotional and social functioning without reported safety concerns. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

How is the Latin Dance treatment unique for cancer survivorship?

Latin Dance is unique as a treatment for cancer survivorship because it combines physical activity with cultural elements, offering both physical and emotional benefits. Unlike traditional treatments, it focuses on improving quality of life through dance, which can enhance fitness, emotional well-being, and social functioning, especially for Latina breast cancer survivors. ^{3 6 9 10 11}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The primary objective is to assess the feasibility, acceptability and explore the impact of a culturally appropriate Latin Dance intervention vs. Usual Care on sleep quality for Hispanic cancer survivors. Secondary objectives are to examine the preliminary efficacy of a culturally appropriate Latin Dance intervention on secondary cancer- and treatment-related side effects (e.g., Quality of Life, distress, insomnia, fatigue).

Research Team

Evelyn Arana, DrPH

Principal Investigator

Rutgers Cancer Institute

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Hispanic cancer survivors experiencing sleep disorders or poor sleep quality. Participants should be interested in Latin Dance as a potential therapy and willing to either take dance sessions or continue with their usual care.

Inclusion Criteria

Self-identify as Hispanic and/or Latino(a)

Be able to read and understand English and/or Spanish

Physically Inactive (<150 minutes of vigorous exercise/week within the past 3 months)

Exclusion Criteria

Current regular Latin dancing practice within the past year (2-3 times a week over a period of two months that is not interrupted)

Inability to understand informed consent

Life expectancy <12 months

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants in the intervention arm will participate in the virtual Latin Dance group program that meets for 8 weeks, 2x each week, for 75 minute sessions

8 weeks

16 virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in sleep quality and other secondary outcomes post-intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Latin Dance

Trial Overview The study is testing if Latin Dancing can improve sleep quality compared to usual care routines. It will also look at how the dance affects life quality, emotional distress, insomnia, and fatigue among participants.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will participate in the virtual Latin Dance group program that meets for 8 weeks, 2x each week, for 75 minute sessions.

Group II: Usual care arm Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the usual care arm will receive care as usual and will not participate in the Latin Dancing program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+

Findings from Research

An 8-week pilot study involving 20 breast cancer survivors, primarily Latina, tested Latin dance and Qigong/Tai Chi as physical activity interventions, but did not show significant changes in steps per week, BMI, or body fat percentage overall.

Despite the lack of significant changes, the interventions were well-received and showed small to moderate effect sizes for increasing physical activity and reducing body fat, suggesting they could be beneficial for engaging high-risk breast cancer survivors in future studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Latin dance and Qigong/Tai Chi effects on physical activity and body composition in breast cancer survivors: A pilot study. Soltero, EG., Larkey, LK., Kim, WS., et al.[2022]

A pilot study involving 54 women recovering from breast cancer showed that a 32-hour dance program significantly improved various health measures, including weight, fitness levels, and quality of life, with effect sizes ranging from intermediate to large.

The positive changes in physical and emotional well-being suggest that dance can be a valuable rehabilitation option for women post-breast cancer treatment, highlighting the need for further collaborative research across countries.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dancing With Health: Quality of Life and Physical Improvements From an EU Collaborative Dance Programme With Women Following Breast Cancer Treatment. Karkou, V., Dudley-Swarbrick, I., Starkey, J., et al.[2021]

A culturally sensitive telephone counseling intervention for 23 Latina-American cervical cancer survivors showed significant improvements in physical well-being and overall quality of life after 6 sessions.

The study indicates that such behavioral interventions are feasible and beneficial for this population, suggesting the need for further randomized controlled trials to assess long-term effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing physical well-being and overall quality of life among underserved Latina-American cervical cancer survivors: feasibility study. Ashing-Giwa, KT.[2021]

An evidence-based intervention for breast cancer education was successfully adapted for Latina breast cancer survivors, addressing cultural relevance through certified translation and cognitive interviews.

Out of 40 participants, 30 completed the intervention, and 14 provided positive feedback on its usefulness and relevance, indicating potential for improving quality of life and reducing disparities among Latina breast cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adapting an evidence-based survivorship intervention for Latina breast cancer survivors. Meneses, K., Gisiger-Camata, S., Schoenberger, YM., et al.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dance and movement program improves quality-of-life measures in breast cancer survivors. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Latin dance and Qigong/Tai Chi effects on physical activity and body composition in breast cancer survivors: A pilot study. [2022]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dancing With Health: Quality of Life and Physical Improvements From an EU Collaborative Dance Programme With Women Following Breast Cancer Treatment. [2021]

4. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ballroom dancing as physical activity for patients with cancer: a systematic review and report of a pilot project. [2018]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of ballroom dancing on fatigue, body image, self-efficacy, and endurance of cancer patients and their partners. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing physical well-being and overall quality of life among underserved Latina-American cervical cancer survivors: feasibility study. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Participation in and Satisfaction with a Community-Based Physical Activity Program Among Hispanic Cancer Survivors. [2023]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A latent class analysis of health behavior changes after cancer diagnosis among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Community-Based Approach to Assessing the Physical, Emotional, and Health Status of Hispanic Breast Cancer Survivors. [2022]

10. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design, development, and feasibility of a spanish-language cancer survivor support group. [2022]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adapting an evidence-based survivorship intervention for Latina breast cancer survivors. [2021]